Time: MWF 12.20-1.10

Room: 220 Joe Brown Hall

Credits: 3

E-Mail: Please use WebCT e-mail

Office Hours: MWF 11.00-12.15 (x2.2144)

Office: 125 Joe Brown

Course Description: Works of literature by Asian-American writers, including works written in English and translations of works originally written in Asian languages. This course can be used to fulfill the undergraduate multicultural requirement.

Pre-Requisites: None, though you should have completed ENGL 1101 & 1102, as 70% of your grade is based upon writing assignments.

Topical Outline: This course will examine Asian American literature from the beginning of the 20^th century up to the major breakthrough of Kingston’s The Woman Warrior. It will therefore focus mostly on authors of Chinese, Japanese and Filipino descent, and on the genres of the novel, the autobiography and the short-story. Through close reading of these works, we will address the thematic concerns of the authors and the stylistic means used to address these concerns.

Required Texts

1. Texts:

· Carlos Bulosan: America Is in the Heart

· Maxine Hong Kingston: The Woman Warrior

· John Okada: No-No Boy

· CMLT 2400 Coursepack: contains works by Carlos Bulosan, Frank Chin, Louis Chu, Sui Sin Far, Toshio Mori, Bienvenidos Santos, Monica Sone, and Hisaye Yamamoto.

2. Recommended Reference Works:

· Joseph M. Williams: Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace.

· A good dictionary and a non-topographical atlas.

The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary and will be posted via WebCT.

Course Objectives

1. To increase the student’s ability to read and analyze a text closely.

2. To teach students how to use comparative methodology to interpret texts.

3. To improve the student’s ability to have productive discussions about literature.

4. To improve the student’s ability to write a persuasive argument about a literary text.

Key Terms

1. Question (v. Theme): Why does the author bring up certain themes and what does s/he say about them? What questions is the author addressing? Or, What questions are raised for you by the text?

2. Represent (v. Symbolize): Everything included in a story represents something larger than itself, even if it is not itself a symbol. What do the characters and situations represent?

3. Function (v. Meaning): Some elements may have ambiguous and/or multiple meanings. How are these elements used within the larger context, e.g. what do they do?

Assignments and Grading

Assignments and grades will be posted on Web CT

Grading Scale: A = 92, A- = 90; B+ = 86, B = 82, B- = 80; C+ = 76, C=72, etc.

Quizzes (30%): Every Friday at the start of class, testing basic knowledge of the text: author, characters, plot points, geography, etc. I drop your lowest grade, in case you need to skip a quiz. But, if you take all the quizzes, I add one point to your final score.

· If you miss two quizzes in a row without contacting me, I will drop you from the course.

· Do not be late. If you arrive after I have begun collecting the quizzes, you will not be allowed to take it.

Exams (30%): Three exams (including the final), one after every two texts, composed of three essay questions that examine your ability to a) compare texts and b) to use critical articles. Essays are graded on a 10-point scale, based on the quality of your argument and your understanding of the texts. The final exam will also include a cumulative question.

· Exams are due by 5 p.m. on the day assigned, using WebCT.

· If you miss the first exam, I will drop you from the course.

· You must take all 3 exams (incl. the cumulative essay) to qualify for a B in the course.

· Anyone going into the final with a 95+ average will only have to write the cumulative.

Writing Assignments (40%): Details TBA

· All essays will be due by 5 p.m. on the day assigned, using WebCT.

· If you do not turn in the first assignment, I will drop you from the course.

· You must do all essays to qualify for a B in the course.

Course Withdrawals: I will not offer a WF to anyone who disappears after the second exam. As stated above, I do drop people from the course for missing exams or consecutive quizzes, but I only give WFs prior to the second exam.

Make-up Policy: If you contact me ahead of time about missing a quiz, I will allow you to make it up within one week. If you need to miss an exam, you may take it early. In general, I understand that your life does not come to a standstill for my course, and I am more than willing to work with you should disaster strike during the semester. However, I can only do this if you inform me of the problem and keep me up to date on your situation.

Attendance: I have no formal attendance policy; if you can read all the work on your own and pass the course, congratulations. However, attendance does play a role in class participation (see below). You should always show up for class at least once a week, if only to take the quiz.

Participation: consistent attendance, participation, completion of assignments, etc. will count in your favor should you be on the border (i.e., between letters) at the end of the term.

Extra Credit: As stated above, extra credit for this class consists of writing 5 papers and taking all the quizzes. Doing so allows you both to drop your lowest scores, and to receive 2 extra points to your final grade, so you double the benefits.

Academic Honesty—UGA Policy

All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture of Honesty.” All students are responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work.

What that means in this class: If you cheat on a quiz, you earn a zero on the quiz and will not be allowed to drop that quiz. If you cheat on an exam, you earn a zero for the exam. If you plagiarize small portions of a paper, you earn a zero for that paper and will not be allowed to drop that paper. If you plagiarize substantial portions of your paper, you will fail the course.

Classroom Policies: Remember that teachers and other students are only human, and are influenced by your appearance and behavior. And as in any workplace, you want people to give you the benefit of the doubt. Lateness, disruptiveness, rudeness, inappropriate clothing, etc. are counter-productive to your relationships with your instructor and with your classmates. A few tips:

· Turn off cell phones and pagers before entering the class room. If you need to keep them on (due to an emergency, etc.), let me know ahead of time, and sit near the door.

· If you need to leave early, let me know ahead of time, and sit near the door.

· If you arrive late, take your books, etc. out of your backpack and remove your coat before you enter the room in order to minimize the disturbance to the class.

· Watch your grooming: your safest bet is to treat the class as if it were your job—bathe, dress appropriately, and try to look as though you put some effort into your appearance.

· Treat your classmates with respect, especially when you disagree with them: do unto others, &c.

About the Instructor